In a tightly contested match, the Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious over the Carolina Panthers with a score of 22-16. This win marked an impressive ninth consecutive victory for the Eagles, but it was not without its challenges and introspective moments.
Eagles' Ground Game Dominates
The Eagles showcased a formidable rushing attack, amassing 209 rushing yards against the Panthers. This staggering performance on the ground was essential for their win, given the struggles in their passing game. Despite Carolina's defense being ranked 24th in pass yardage allowed and 27th in net yards per pass attempt, the Eagles managed only 83 net passing yards.
Quarterback Under Pressure
Quarterback Jalen Hurts played a pivotal role, though his performance raised eyebrows. Hurts threw for a modest 108 passing yards with an average of 5.1 yards per attempt. On passes that traveled more than 10 air yards, Hurts completed only two out of six attempts, resulting in a passer rating of just 59.0. Despite these hurdles, Hurts contributed significantly with five total touchdowns over the past two games—three of which were passing and two rushing.
Hurts' individual statistics come under the spotlight, as his rank in passing yards among quarterbacks with two starts in the last two games is notably low. Yet, his overall passer rating on 40 attempts remains a commendable 102.7. Over the Eagles' nine-game winning streak, Hurts has managed a passer rating of 113.7, placing him fourth in the NFL. Intriguingly, his throws beyond ten air yards have resulted in an impressive passer rating of 126.0 over this period.
Reflections and Reactions
The struggle with the passing game was acknowledged by the Eagles' players. Star wide receiver A.J. Brown candidly stated, "Passing. What we did today is not good enough. It won't help us."
His teammate, DeVonta Smith, echoed this sentiment: "I think we can do a lot better. Pass game we can be a lot better... We didn't play up to our standard." The comments highlight a collective understanding of the gaps that need addressing to maintain their winning momentum.
Jalen Hurts, leading the charge, maintained a positive outlook despite the criticism. "Winning is the main thing," he declared. Still, he expressed an earnest desire for improvement, noting, "It isn't about solving anything. Everybody has a reason to want more. It's a fair desire of being in fullness to where we can be because we've done it before. Just got to build, got to progress. Have to find a way to come together and synch as a unit and play complementary ball."
Commitment to Growth
Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata emphasized the importance of accountability and growth within the team. "We have to put our pride aside and take coaching. That is the form of accountability we harp on a lot," Mailata said. He stressed the value of learning from mistakes, both personal and collective, to push the team forward: "So that's what we have to do. We have to put our pride aside, admit your mistake, learn from it, and don't repeat it. And learn from others' mistakes."
The Philadelphia Eagles' latest victory added another feather to their cap, yet it has opened a conversation within the team about performance, potential, and the drive for excellence. As the season progresses, these reflections may well prove pivotal as the Eagles aim to extend their winning streak and refine their approach on the field. With a mixture of determination and introspection, the team remains steadfast in its pursuit of success.